A bathroom scale: If you choose to keep track of your pregnancy weight gain this comes in handy. I wouldn't recommended weighing yourself more than once every few weeks so as not to worry overly much about the weight you are gaining. You will gain weight. It's ok. You are growing a human! There is time to diet after the baby is born. Try to eat healthy foods and lots of protein which is the building blocks for your pregnancy.
A good Midwifery manual or book; such as Spiritual Midwifery, Christian Midwifery, etc..:. A manual or book will be valuable as you learn about pregnancy and birth.
Two hands: Yes, you will need your hands! Measuring your fundus and palpating as you approach 20 weeks is just another way to check on the growth of baby. You will also need a measuring tape in cm. This is an area where having great Midwifery books will help. They will guide you on how you do this and in no time you will be a pro!
A doppler or fetoscope: A doppler allows you to listen in the very early stages of pregnancy. 8-10 weeks for some mama's. A fetoscope usually will be able to be used by 20 weeks. Which one you choose depends on your personal preference.
Urinalysis Reagent Test Strips: These are used for the rapid determination of Glucose, protein and pH levels in urine. These can be an indicator of Pre Eclampsia if you are spilling protein and Gestational Diabetes if you are positive for glucose.
A blood pressure monitor: There are many kinds to choose from. Some are more expensive than others. As long as you can take your bp that's what's important. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. This doesn't have to be done often; perhaps once a month or so and more often as you near your due date.
Once you are feeling baby being aware of how often baby is moving or perhaps doing kick counts is another way to gauge the well being of your blessing.
You can choose to keep a journal or notebook of your results and vitals each time you take them. OR as some unassisted birthers; choose to do nothing and just allow your body to grow your child as it was created too. Some women who birth unassisted choose to have selective tests done by an OB or Midwife. No way is the right way. The right way is what YOU feel is right for YOUR birth!
Your birth, Your choice!!
Yes, It is that easy to have the assurance that the pregnancy is progressing well. Even if you are using a care provider why not hone some basic skills that YOU can use anytime?
ReplyDeleteIt's wise to be educated! I agree Cinda!
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